Female Genital Mutilation (10/16)

Request

I am making a request under the Freedom of Information Act regarding cases of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation, also known as female circumcision).

– How many cases of FGM were reported to the force in 2015?
– How many cases of FGM were reported to the force in 2014?
– Please state how many of the above cases involved girls under 18
– Please provide a further breakdown of ages in as much detail as you are able – eg number of cases involving girls under 16, under 14, under 12 etc

Response

We can confirm that the information requested is held by West Midlands Police. However, while the majority of the information is attached to this email I am afraid that I am not required by statute to release all of the information requested. This letter serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the information that has not been released.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The Freedom of Information Act places two responsibilities on public authorities, the first of which is to confirm what information it holds and secondly to then disclose that information, unless exemptions apply.

In this case West Midlands Police will neither confirm nor deny the existence of any further information by virtue of